Income-related inequity in initiation of evidence-based therapies among patients with acute myocardial infarction.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Previous research has shown a socioeconomic status (SES) gradient in the receipt of cardiac services following acute myocardial infarction (AMI), but much less is known about SES and the use of secondary preventive medicines following AMI.

Objectives

To examine the role of income in initiation of treatment with ACE-inhibitors, beta-blockers and statins in the 120 days following discharge from hospital for first AMI.

Design

A cross-sectional study with a population-based cohort.

Participants

First-time AMI patients between age 40 and 100 discharged alive from the hospital and surviving at least 120 days following discharge between January 1, 1999 and September 3, 2006.

Main measures

Binary variables indicating whether the patient had filled at

SUBMITTER: Hanley GE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3208463 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature